Moving from Concord, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 1897 mi and 32h 37m from Concord to Cedar Rapids β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1897 mi Β· 32h 37m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in Concord to 88.963 in Cedar Rapids, a 23.1% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 23.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $742,769 to $204,112 moving to Cedar Rapids.
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 35.9" |
Expect 13.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 23.1% β $109,195 β $67,859 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $742,769 in Concord β a 72.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 23.1% lower than Concord (88.963 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1897 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $109,195 in Concord β a 37.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 1897 mi and the route typically takes 32h 37m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.